When I first moved to Singapore in 2007 It took me some time to adapt to my new surroundings. To start with I was not sure what to paint, I focused on a number of different themes, including landscapes, figure studies and pieces influenced by the clean disciplined and artificial modern city.However, I then gained a gradual understanding of the intricate relationship between the many different nationalities living harmoniously in one melting pot, which is fascinating from a social and visual perspective.

“A Caged Bird Sings” is a retrospective exhibition of my works over the past decade, form the “Silk “Road” series to recent pieces inspired by the move to Singapore. Taking inspiration from the people and places I have visited, the 22 works on view depict my observations and reflections on the diverse cultures and landscapes of the Asian continent. My kaleidoscopic journeys have provided me with an endless source of inspiration and a desire to record the timeless aspects of Asia’s societies. This body of works document scenes that have had a significant impact on my outlook on life, from the richness of Bhutan heritage, to the simplicity of village life in Southern China, the Burmese deep belief in Buddhism, the tranquility of the ponds at the Imperial Palace Garden in Tokyo that contrasts dramatically with their surroundings in the centre of one of the worlds most dynamic cities, and the fast disappeariing traditional Cantonese culture in Hong Kong .

Dejeuner Sous L’arbre 2008 – Oil on canvas 60 x 73cm

This work evolved from a study of a family gathering on the East Coast, Singapore. The purple and blue tones of the landscape, and the shimmering lines of the large tree in the background created a mythical, vivid atmosphere.

Click to see more paintings from the “A Cage Bird Sings” Exhibition